Matt Hennessy is heading to injured reserve. The Falcons announced (via Twitter) that they’ve placed the center on IR. To fill the open roster spot, safety Jovante Moffatt has been signed to Atlanta’s active roster from the practice squad.
Hennessy was a third-round pick by the organization in 2020. After getting into 13 games as a rookie, the lineman started all 17 games for the Falcons in 2021, with Pro Football Focus grading him among the best at his position. Despite that performance, he lost his starting gig to Drew Dalman during training camp. As a result, he played exclusively on special teams through his first eight games this season.
He started at left guard in place of Elijah Wilkinson during Week 9, earning 50 snaps on offense. A knee injury ended up knocking him out towards the end of the game, and the injury will now force him to miss at least the next four games. Colby Gossett slid into the lineup in place of Hennessy on Sunday and could end up keeping the starting gig until Wilkinson returns.
The Falcons needed some depth at safety after trading Dean Marlowe at the deadline. Erik Harris is also dealing with a foot injury that forced him out of the lineup for Week 9. Moffatt has seen time in 16 games since entering the league in 2020. He joined the Falcons’ practice squad in September and has earned a pair of promotions this season.